As one of the Euro 2012 survivors in the squad, Stephen Ward can sense a different vibe to the bunch descending on France in June and insists the Ireland team is all the better for it.

SK Slovan Bratislava have vowed to avoid getting caught cold again when they try to secure a Europa League third round spot against UCD at the Belfield Bowl (6pm).

More than one in four children born here six years ago have at least one migrant parent, with childcare costs among the biggest issues facing their families.

Hajduk Split 1 Dundalk 2(3-2 to Hajduk on aggregate)

Mike Jensen broke Sligo hearts tonight as Rosenborg hit back to book their place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

It’s almost 13 years since a basketball club was founded in the Carlow village of Ballon to cater for recreational female players aged 30 or over.

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski has hailed Robbie Keane’s international scoring record as he prepares to face the Republic of Ireland.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S worst instincts were all but confirmed in Zilina last night — the Russians are to blame for his mountain hike in Andorra.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI would be ill-advised to take up the European Championship bail-out offer slapped on the table in the sleepy Slovakian resort of Senec yesterday.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his players to ignore events in Slovakia as they attempt to snatch automatic qualification for Euro 2012.

DARREN O’DEA played no part in last Friday’s bore draw with Slovakia but the defender gave a scintillating performance over the weekend when he faced a media corps that had just lambasted Giovanni Trapattoni and his team.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND boss Giovanni Trapattoni arrived in Moscow last night with a growing injury crisis after defender John O’Shea became the latest withdrawal for tomorrow’s defining Euro 2012 qualifier in Russia.

Republic of Ireland defender Darren O’Dea insists he would put his house on Robbie Keane to score in Russia if he is presented with the kind of chance he passed up against Slovakia.

Striker Shane Long is out of the Republic of Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Russia.

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI began his traditional eve of match press conference in the by now predictable manner, extolling the virtues of his team during their performances over the summer which saw them score 10 goals and concede none over five games.

Vladimir Weiss will not rely on his enviable record against Italians as he attempts to guide Slovakia past the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night.

Glenn Whelan is hoping the Republic of Ireland have had their sticky patch as they attempt to book their place at the Euro 2012 finals.

Glenn Whelan insists the Republic of Ireland will not jeopardise their Euro 2012 dreams by taking a gung-ho approach to their must-win clash with Slovakia.

Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli has said Derby County's Kevin Kilbane will be assessed tonight.

John O’Shea insists victory over Slovakia on Friday night is the only option if the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 fate is to remain in their own hands.

Kevin Foley is hoping Wolves’ blistering start to the season can help the Republic of Ireland edge closer to their Euro 2012 dreams.

KEITH FAHEY has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 double-header against Slovakia and Russia.

Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Slovakia and Russia through injury.

The number of households intimidated from their homes by racists in the North has doubled in four years, it was revealed today.

Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt is targeting at least four points from the September showdowns with Slovakia and Russia to make his Euro 2012 dream a reality.

Stephen Hunt has urged his Republic of Ireland team-mates to grasp the chance to become national heroes by qualifying for Euro 2012.

Keiren Westwood will follow in the footsteps of one of his idols tomorrow night when he makes his first competitive appearance for the Republic of Ireland.

AIDEN McGEADY says that Armenia’s progress in Group B should act as a wake-up call for anyone expecting Ireland to have it all their own way against Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium.

Liam Lawrence is targeting another maximum points haul as the Republic of Ireland face a pivotal week in their Euro 2012 qualifying bid.

MICHAEL ESSIEN accepts Chelsea still have plenty of hard work ahead of them as the Barclays Premier League leaders set their sights on conquering Europe.

Kevin Doyle has warned his Republic of Ireland team-mates not to allow Slovakia to sneak in under the radar and wreck their Euro 2012 dreams.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has said that his side are going to face a harder test next month when they face Russia in Dublin in their Euro 2012 qualifer.

Kevin Kilbane has warned the Republic of Ireland to beware a wounded animal ahead of Russia’s Euro 2012 visit to Dublin next month.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his players the hard work starts now after seeing them climb to the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group B.

THE Football Association of Ireland are awaiting responses from letters they have written to both UEFA and the Slovakian Football Association (SFZ) demanding that Bratislava be instated as the venue for Ireland’s European Championship qualifier on October 12.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi took full responsibility for his side’s World Cup group exit, admitting the reigning champions had played with “terror in their hearts, heads and legs”.

Slovakia 1 Italy 0

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Giovanni Trapattoni has called on his team to show the spirit of Paris when they begin the battle to qualify for Euro 2012.

SO yes, there is life after the World Cup and now we know what it looks like.

The queue at the Capuchin centre is growing weekly. Noel Baker talks to those desperate for food

The Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualification hopes are hanging in the balance as they prepare to face the Czech Republic in Prague tonight.